A partnership between South Sound Radiology and Providence Health & Services, Southwest Region – South Sound Breast Center – uses cutting edge 3-D mammography to provide “a more comprehensive look” for early breast cancer detection. The new technology helps improve detection rates, while reducing the number of call-backs and false positive results.
Two, 3-D mammography machines were recently installed at South Sound Breast Center, located at 3417 Ensign Road NE in Olympia. Appointments can be made online or by calling 360-252-9301. No referral is needed for the exam. Questions about the center or the new 3-D mammography options can be directed to 360-493-4600.
Routine, annual check-ups should be thought of as an insurance policy for continued health. Early detection of breast cancer leads to better outcomes.
South Sound Radiology Diagnostic Imaging Supervisor Jennifer Cokl explains the 3-D mammography exams as flipping through a book, page by page, instead of being limited to only the covers.
“Unlike previous technology, 3-D mammography offers the ability to image and view the breast in thin slices, similar to viewing each individual slice in a loaf of bread,” said Lawrence Bennett, MD, chief of women’s imaging at South Sound Radiology. “This also has the possibility of expediting evaluation for abnormal screening exams.”
Kasia Konieczny, Director of Oncology Service Line at Providence Health and Services Southwest Region, is excited about this partnership.
“The mission of South Sound Breast Center to provide safe, reliable, timely and patient-centered care to every patient every time by promoting breast health education, screenings and early detection as well as providing support services to those affected by cancer,” Konieczny said. “3-D mammography improves detection of early stage breast cancer. It provides more precise results of the screening mammography and reduces the likelihood of needing to return for more diagnostic images.”
Cokl acknowledges many women come in anxious. “But early detection is vital and mammograms should become part of every woman’s annual routine care once she turns 40,” she said.
Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
South Sound Breast Center staff provides care and support that comes with more than 100 years of combined experience. Their excellence and compassion are key factors in South Sound Breast Center being designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.
The exam itself is brief, and digital results are sent to the patient’s doctor almost immediately. The patient herself will receive a results letter from the Breast Center.
Premature death due to breast cancer is heartbreaking for many families – taking advantage of state-of-the-art technology to detect cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage is currently the best defense we have.
